October 25-27: Equal Justice Works Conference/Career Fair in Washington, D.C.

Top public interest employers travel to D.C. every year to recruit the nations finest at the Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair, and it's an opportunity not to be missed. Policy organizations, congressional services, the country's best public defender offices, and many more network with students at table talk and lectures, as well as interview selected students for summer internships and full-time postgraduate positions. 

ASK Program Offers Practice Interviews

The ASK Program wanted to let you know that several of their Mentors have set aside time to help students with practice interviews, inlcuding those below that are still available yet this month, as noted below. If you have been pursuing alternative careers outside the law, several of these interviewers can also give you insights into their industries.

Webcast: Preparing for On-Campus Interviews - Tuesday, August 7th, 2PM CST

If you're participating in On-Campus Interviews this fall or just want to learn more about how to prepare for a legal job interview, you won't want to miss this LexisNexis webcast.

On Tuesday August 7th, LexisNexis will host a webcast entitled Preparing for On-Campus Interviews to help you succeed in your upcoming interviews. You'll hear from two distinguished speakers who have been through the OCI process:

Closing the Deal – How to Conclude an Interview for Maximum Impact

A job interview is a fluid situation, with changes in direction possible at any moment throughout the voyage. But particularly in the financial industry, the way you manage the end of the interview may have the most significant impact on how you will be remembered. It’s your last words and actions that can make a lasting impression.

Etiquette Tip of the Week: The Great Thing About Interviewing...

The great thing about interviewing is it is the one time you can tell people how wonderful you are and they are actually willing to listen.

Be honest about your qualifications and experience.  If an interviewer asks, "What is your biggest weakness?"  Do not try to disguise a positive as a negative with a canned baloney answer like, "I work too hard" or "I am a perfectionist."

Are You Dressing The Part As An Older Job Seeker? Revamp Your Job Search Strategies

Revamp Your Job Search Strategies and Get a Job
 

Finding a job is tough these days. But it's even tougher if you're over fifty. Here are some proactive steps you can take to boost your chances for a successful job hunt.

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Napkin Apps

Another tip for Banquet Season: if there is an invocation or grace being said before a big banquet, wait until it is completed before you place your napkin in your lap. At a smaller occasion, such as a dinner party, if there is no invocation, place your napkin in your lap when your host does.  Same thing for an interview meal -- wait for your interviewer to place the napkin in his or her lap.

Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords

SEATTLE (AP) — When Justin Bassett interviewed for a new job, he expected the usual questions about experience and references. So he was astonished when the interviewer asked for something else: his Facebook username and password.

On-Campus Interview (OCI) Orientation Sessions Start Next Week

Attendance is REQUIRED to participate in the OCI (On-Campus Interview) programs. Even if you attended previous FERP or SERP Orientations, you MUST ATTEND an OCI Orientation in April 2012 or Watch the Orientation Video to be eligible to participate in OCI Programs for the 2012-2013 school year. The 45 minute sessions will cover important OCI deadlines, the registration process, and more.

Session Dates and Times:

Tuesday, April 3 @ 12 pm: 342 Lewis

Wednesday, April 4 @ 4:30 pm: 341 Lewis

Wednesday, April 25 @ 12 pm: 341 Lewis

Please RSVP in Symplicity. Any questions? Please contact Law Career Services at law_career@depaul.edu, 312-362-8385 or stop by our office (340 O’Malley)

Time to Ditch the Resume & “Embody” Greatness?

Imagine a world with no resumes. A hiring market where people aren’t judged by the superficial impressions given off by a single short document, but on their ability to actually “prove” that they’re highly capable in their field and capable of solving an employer’s problems. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? And a much more fair way of going about things?

Review Your Resume in pdf Before You Send It Out

EVERY TIME you have an updated resume -- whether it has been approved by Law Career Services or has been automatically approved in Symplicity -- be sure to look over your pdf BEFORE you send it out.  Sometimes the conversion from Word to pdf throws things out of whack: your formatting, your

Job Seekers: Get HR on Your Side

Job Seekers: Get HR on Your Side   by Amy Gallo

Employers are dealing with more job applicants than ever. With thousands of submissions for a single vacancy, companies must be more diligent when sorting the wheat from the chaff. Many rely on HR managers to screen out applicants who aren't qualified for the job or a good fit for the company. This step may feel like a roadblock to you as the applicant, but there are good reasons companies do it. Instead of thinking, "Ugh, I have to talk to HR," focus on how you can work with the department to pass this critical hurdle.

Out Of Work For Over A Year? How To Bounce Back

It happens to the best of us. You hit a bump in the rocky road of your career and find yourself out of work for longer than you'd like.
 
Being out of work for an extended period of time does more damage than just a gap in your resume. It affects your self esteem, how you view yourself, and what you believe you can bring to the table.

Arrogance and Pride are Career Killers

Admit it. There are times when you say, “I get it…how come they don’t?” Or, “I’m pretty smart—I saw that one coming-- long before everyone else did.” But when you feel like you’re the smartest one in the room everyday, that spells trouble for your career.

NoLegalZZzs: Don't be This Interviewee at Northwestern Law: March 8th

Northwestern Law invites students to "NoLegalZzzs: Don't Be This Interviewee," an hour long interview skills program being presented to students by a Northwestern Law Alum along with ComedySportz Chicago on Thursday, March 8, 2012, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m in RB150.  The program mixes the experience of a law firm/corporate law department interviewer with skills drawn from interactive improvisational comedy-based exercises.  You can read more about the program: Here

Mock Interview Program Coming This Spring!

Practice makes perfect. We’ve all heard it and rolled our eyes, but the reason so many people say it is it happens to be true. Practice can even make you feel better about job interviews, believe it or not, and that’s why Law Career Services has a Mock Interview Program.

What's Your Greatest Weakness?

How do you answer that predictable question of your greatest weakness?  There have been many Rules of Thumb developed over the years, from making light of the question with an answer like “Pizza!” to true confessions, putting a cloud over everyone, to developing a response that actually demonstrates a strength, “I tend to be a workaholic,” or “perfectionist.” (Yuk!)  So how do you plan for this befuddling question?  Read this article and plan your perfect response.

How Much Follow-up is Too Much?

How do you achieve the perfect balance between appearing appropriately motivated rather than desperately pesty?  Following an interview, how much follow-up is too much?  What do you say and when do you say it?  As always, there are varying opinions on this important window of opportunity.  Read this article to learn two of them.

FERP: Phase 4 Registration & Bids

As a reminder, FERP registration and bids for Phase 4 are due by Noon on Wednesday, August 31, 2011.  All subsequent phases will have the same simultaneous registration/bid deadline.  This phase includes:

• US Army JAG Corps*
• US Securities & Exchange Commission**
• Cook County State's Attorney's Office**

*The US Army JAG Corps has suspended its spring accession board due to budget cuts so they will not be back on campus again in the fall. Don't delay your application, which is due November 1, 2011, so that the JARO can assist you with any missing pieces.

**If you are interested in postgraduate positions with either of these offices for 2012, per these employers' requirements, you MUST bid for an interview through our FERP process. Full FERP registration is required.

 

Writing Samples

As part of the job interview process, many legal employers request a writing sample. Writing is about knowing your audience - providing them the information the reader is seeking in a package that is acceptable and meets their expectations. Whether you are applying for a FERP interview, a resume collect, or another job posting, providing an appropriate writing sample helps put you in front of the pack by providing a writing sample of an appropriate length.